This year it’s 150th May 17th, one of the most famous events in horse racing Preakness Stakes While Pimlico undergoes comprehensive reconstruction, it retains additional importance as it will be the final run on the existing Pimlico race course before temporarily moving to Laurel Park.
The $2 million grade 1 prequeness, held on the 13/16 mile, was announced by Woodford Reserve and will be the second round of the 3-year-old Triple Crown, ahead of the Belmonte stakes. Triple Crown bids will not be attempted at Preakness this year, as Sovereignty, the winner of the Kentucky Derby, bypasses the race and points to the start of the Belmont Stakes on June 7th. The Belmont Stakes have been held in Saratoga for the second year in a row, and traditional host truck Belmont Park continues its own major rebuild.
Even in the absence of a Derby winner, this year’s Preakness is set as a competitive race featuring Derby runner-up journalism, fan favorite Sandman, and some promising Colts with aspirations to break through with top-level victory. 150th Preakness depicts a field of nine people, broadcast nationwide on NBC and streams on Peacock.
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Read information about each candidate for Preakness Stakes.
1. Goal orientation (odds for the morning route 6-1)
Jockey: Flavien Plat
trainer: Bob Baffert
Owner: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madakette Stable, Stone Street Stable, Diana Bashaw, Resolved Stable, Robert Masterson, Tom Ryan, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan
Career Record: 2 start – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 1/0
Career Revenue: $111,960
Top Equiver Speed Number: 109
Bloodline: Not this time – Busy Caroline, Afriet Alex
color: Dark Bay or Brown
Running Style: Press Pacesetter/Pace
analysis: On May 8th, goal-oriented co-owner Tom Ryan gave this year’s Preakness a thrilling shock when he told reporters that the burgeoning Colt would begin with the second gem of the Triple Crown, just two weeks after the sharp victory over Kentucky Delby announced by the Woodford Reserve Undercard. This time, Colt didn’t make his career debut until April 6th this year, when he recorded a rally 3¼-length victory in a six-fur long sprint at Santa Anita Park. He was then shipped to Churchill Downs and began on May 3 with a 1 1/16 mile allowance options option billing race. He set a quick pace while running on a goal-oriented sloppy track, pulling back his closest tracker with a midstretch, then held back the rally to win three-thirds of the length from highly acclaimed hypnosis. A two-week rest restored goal orientation and will become the only entry for the Hall of Fame Trainer Bob Bufferte after Rodriguez was removed from consideration on May 9th. He needs to break sharply away from the inner post position. His dam’s Busy Caroline won twice in the grass graded stocks on the route distance, so he is certainly raised as good, half sister (same dam (mother), different bull) with the champion and $2.9 million winner Lady Eli.
The bet goal was directed towards the stakes of Preakness.
2. Journalism (8-5)
Jockey: Humberto Rispoli
trainer: Michael McCarthy
Owner: Bridlewood Farm, Don Albert stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partner, Elaine Instantable, Robert Rapenta, Susan Maggie, Michaelta Ball, Delicious Miss
Career Record: 6 start – 4 wins – 1 second – 1 third
Career Revenue: $1,638,880
Top Equiver Speed Number: 110
Bloodline: Carlin – Mopotism, by Uncle
color: bay
Running Style: Stalker
analysis: Journalism was confirmed as a Preakness starter by co-owner Eclipse thoroughbred partners on May 11, and the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve runner-ups quickly became headline appeal. He ran very well in the 1¼ mile derby on May 3 as a 3.42-1 post-time favorite, overcoming a rough start to gain stalker position through the backstretch, and began a sustained drive to take a short lead on the early stretch by lifting the cue from jockey Umbertolispoli. Journalism dueled with sovereignty on the outside of him as the colt chased him and then engaged him with a stretch, but he grabbed the spot with Baeza’s neck, but was tired to finish the 1½ length. Neither of these candidates have been entered into Preakness, and Saturday’s field includes promising runners appearing in classes such as goal-oriented, gothgar and trustworthy Sandman, but this multiple-graded stakes winner stands out as a clear favorite. Look for journalism attempting a similar stalker trip in the Kentucky Derby – except for a problematic start – and a small cut in the distance of 1 3/16 miles should help him seal the deal this time. Unless the two-week turnaround turns out to be more difficult than expected, this classy Carling Colt should be hard to deal with on Saturday evenings.
Journalism is placed on Preakness’s stake.
3. American Promise (15-1)
Jockey: I’m Juarez
trainer: D. Wayne Lucas
Owner: BC stable house
Career Record: 10 start – 2 wins – 1 second – 1 third
Career Revenue: $444,874
Top Equiver Speed Number: 102
Bloodline: Justify – Tapella, Tapit
color: chestnut
Running Style: Press Pace/Stalker
analysis: The winner of this Colt Triple Crown until 2018 will justify the wheel with two weeks of rest to get off to another start in the triple crown race after finishing 16th At the Kentucky Derby announced by Woodford Reserve. American promises received support in 151 window betsst The Derby was turned off as a 12.51-1 fifth bet option on the 19 horse field, recovering from the start bump in third place after three-thirds of Citizen Bull and Neo Ecos. He then quickly retreated from the fight and finished 38½ lengths to the sovereignty of the winner. Obviously, this breeding colt is better than the show, and his rebounding efforts to bring him back to the level he displayed when he won the 1 1/8 mile Virginia Derby gives him the opportunity to post mild upset on Saturday. This will give 89-year-old Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas a second straight prequel victory after winning Gray last year. Another victory this year will tie “Coach” to Bob Baffert on Preakness’s victory list at 8.
Bet American promises on the stakes of Preakness.
4. Heart of Honor (12-1)
Jockey: Saffie Osborne
trainer: Jamie Osborne
Owner: Jim and Claire Inc.
Career Record: 6 start – 2 wins – 4 seconds – 1/0
Career Revenue: $340,919
Top Equiver Speed Number: n/a
Bloodline: Honor AP – Ruby Love, Scat Daddy
color: Dark Bay or Brown
Running Style: Stalker
analysis: This British-made UAE-based colt adds an international flavour to Preakness Field, a rare thing in lace history. He comes out from a rally runner-up finish from the nose to praise Daytona in the UAE Derby sponsored by Jumeirah at Meydan Racecourse on April 5th. The race, like Saturday’s Preakness, took place 1 3/16 miles, with Heart of Honor coming to an end strong and giving the impression that he’ll enjoy the ground even more in the future. He comes from the first crop of the Kentucky Breeding AP, who raced in California a few years ago and placed fourth in the 2020 Kentucky Derby that September. Overall, Heart of Honor competed well in his five Dubai starts, but the level of competition is questionable – the winner of the Pesetting UAE Derby was shipped to the US and to run in the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve on May 3rd. We conclude the pace of Heart of Honor. And the father/daughter combo of trainer/jockey, Jamie and Saffy Osborne should be one of Preakness Week’s best stories.
Heart of Honor in the Preakness Stakes.
5. Pay Billy (20-1)
Jockey: Raul Mena
trainer: Michael Gorham
Owner: RKTN Race
Career Record: 8 start – 4 wins – 1 second – 1 third
Career Revenue: $234,475
Top Equiver Speed Number: 93
Bloodline: Impossible – Harrington’s Rose, Harrington
color: bay
Running Style: Press Pace/Stalker
analysis: Pay Billy has local hopes for Preakness 150, which has made all eight starts in the Mid-Atlantic region. Colt from the first harvest of fourth-place finishers in the 2019 Kentucky Derby, entered a two-man race winning streak, earning a 1 1/16-mile private turk in March 3½ length followed by the 1/8-mile Federico Tesio Stakes on April 19th, with a 1/8-mile length at Laurel Park. Federico Tesio was an automatic qualifier for Preakness, and Billy won using the same tactics he employed in most of the start. The colt has been in the cutting edge form since December last year, winning four of five starts, all along with Raulmena in the Irons. The big question of course is whether he can keep that level of success competing with the tougher fields of Preakness. Pay Billy’s speed count is about 10-12 points lower than most other Preakness Horses and what they earned on historic standards to win this race.
Pay Billy in Preakness Stakes.
6. River Thames (9-2)
Jockey: IRAD ORTIZ JR.
trainer: Todd Plecher
Owner: Winstar Farm, Chc Inc., Pantofel Stable, and Qual Stable
Career Record: 4 start – 2 wins – 1 second – 1 third
Career Revenue: $261,900
Top Equiver Speed Number: 103
Bloodline: McLean’s Music – Proportionality with a modest cat
color: bay
Running Style: Press Pace/Stalker
analysis: Thames was runner-up in the Coolmore Youth Stakes and made a third-place effort in the Toyota Bluegrass Stakes to score qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby announced by Woodford Reserve, but his connections skipped the May 3rd Derby and pointed to Preakness. He predicts that it will be one of the top two or three betting options in the race, and after running very well in two derby preparations, he can sit in a groundbreaking race. At the 1st Youth Fountain on March 1, held on 1/16 miles, the Thames River took a clear lead in the stretch at Gulfstream Park, but was arrested late for sovereignty and lost to the neck. Five weeks later, in the blue grass, he stalked the pace and fought to the finish in the third, finishing three-quarters of Burnham Square. Of course, the form of the Thames was praised for its sovereign victory in the Kentucky Derby. In search of Irad Ortiz Jr., settles right behind the Thames River, Clever again enchants the enemy running alongside the goal orientation, American promises, and the enemy in the distance, moving in parallel with the terrifying journalism. Ortiz and Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher are looking for their first victory in the race.
Bet the Thames in the Preakness Stakes.
7. Sandman (4-1)
Jockey: John Velazquez
trainer: Mark Cass
Owner: DJ Stable, St. EliasStable, West Point Sorlarbreds, and CJ Stable
Career Record: 9 start – 3 wins – 1 second – 1/2
Career Revenue: $1,254,595
Top Equiver Speed Number: 104
Bloodline: Tapit – Distorted music with distorted humor
color: Grey or Lone
Running Style: Closer
analysis: 150th Preakness Field was welcomed when DJ Stable co-owner Jon Green and Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse announced that Sandman will be returning with two weeks of rest after running to seventh in the Kentucky Derby announced by Woodford Reserve. He adds a ton of classes as a Grade 1 winner who has banked more than $1.25 million so far. Boostded by that support, Sandman was his second choice at 5.77-1 in the Kentucky Derby. There, they assumed a conventional position when racing on early wet tracks behind a 19-horsepower field. He was probably influenced by his sloppy track kickback. While Sandman was focused on the home stretch far, he didn’t make up much of the ground and was 12½ length behind his sovereignty. He came out of the race in a big way according to his connections, and if Sandman could regain the form that showed him to win the Arkansas Derby 1 1/8 mile in March, he would give him a good opportunity to give him a second Preakness victory following Will’s war of scores in 2019. Hall of Fame member and 2023 Preakness winner John Velazquez.
Bet Sandman on Preakness Stakes.
8. Smart (5-1)
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
trainer: Steve Asmussen
Owner: Winchell Sorrbreds, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith
Career Record: 3 Starts – 2 Wins – 1 Second – 1/0
Career Revenue: $198,400
Top Equiver Speed Number: 108
Bloodline: American Pharaoh – Galileo’s flattery
color: bay
Running Style: Pacesetter
analysis: The colt profiles the 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharaoh Profile as an interesting Preakness victory contender who can make a big jump in class at an attractive price in the 10-1 range. Clever Again is off the streak of two and three winter/spring successive streaks at Oak Lawn Park. He returned from a break that was over 10 months since his debut in April 2024, winning a 1 1/16 mile Maiden race on Oak Lawn on February 23rd, 3¼ length. Hall of Fame trainer and two-time Preakness winner Steve Asmussen once again got clever in the one-mile Hot Springs Stakes on Oak Lawn on March 30th, with Colt hitting four lengths in the Bob Buffer Trays’ 2024 Grade 1 winners game. A much more rigorous test awaits Saturday. The clever moment is when he faces off again with another goal-oriented buffered trainee who shares his frontal style and generates much talk. Still, he has plenty of undeveloped possibilities with three career starts and a lineage suitable for racing longer distances. He comes from a female family consisting of English proven in the route race and Irish breeding horses.
Make a clever bet on Preakness’s stake again.
9. Gosger (20-1)
Jockey: Lewis Thirds
trainer: Brendan Walsh
Owner: Harvey A. Clarke Racing Stables
Career Record: 3 Starts – 2 Wins – 1 Second – 1/0
Career Revenue: $292,200
Top Equiver Speed Number: 96
Bloodline: Nyquist – by Gloria S, Tapit
color: Grey or Lone
Running Style: Press Pace/Stalker
analysis: This Harvey Clark homemade Nyquist Colt has not developed quickly enough to qualify for the Kentucky Derby, as he has been patiently taken by trainer Brendan Walsh since his debut in December 2024. Gosgar won one mile Maiden race at Gulfstream Park, 2-2 this year, and one mile Maiden race at freshman stakes level. Lexington Stakes at Keeneland on April 12th. Lexington provided 20 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, but at that point it was too few and too late for Gosgar, training preakness at Keeneland for over four weeks. The race flow is set up nicely for him as some speed hoses are input. He is bred to easily handle 1 3/16 miles, compared to another who won the 2012 Kentucky Derby and Preakness and has been preferred to win the Belmont Stakes before withdrawing from the race due to injury. Perhaps more than anything, Gosgar will get the first time he gets the service of red-hot jockey Lewis Thirds. He needs to go a step further in terms of Saturday’s speed figures, but he still appreciates his upset chances about what the post-odds that appear should be.
Gosgar bets on Preakness Stakes.
